Fruit-crate



Y 1(Model.)

W; LPIGKBTT. Fruit' Grate.

Patented Jan. 18`, 188|.

ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALDEN PIOKETT, OF ANDOVER, OHIO.

FRU lT-C RATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 236,841, dated January 18, 1881.

Application filed Aug-ust 24, 1880.

To all whom it may concern Beit known that I, WALDEN PIOKETT, of Andover, in the county of Ashtabula and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fruit`-Grates,ot1 which the following is a specication.

My invention relates to a crate which is more particularly intended for holding boxes or baskets of berries and other small fruits, but may also be used for holding peaches and other fruits not packed in -boxes or baskets.

. The accompanying drawings represent a mode of carrying out my invention.

Figure l is afperspective view ot' a crate embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. Fig.` 3 is a transverse vertical section of the same. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional View.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts. l

A A represent two sections of a crate, and B is a lid or cover. The sections A are alike in Vtheir construction, and anydesired number of sections may be used in making up a crate, the lid or cover B being placed on the top of the uppermost section. Each'section is constructed with its two opposite sides or ends solid, and the two intermediate sides or ends, and also the bottom, composed of slats. When used for small fruits the boxes or baskets are placed directly upon the slats forming the bottom of the section. vWhen used for large fruits not in Vboxes or baskets, afalse or auxiliary bottom, O, is used, composed of slats so arranged as to t in the spaces between the slats of the bottom of the crate, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

In the lower edge of each of the solid ends or sides of each section is a socket, e, and from the upper edge ot' said end or side projects a pin or stud, f, corresponding in size with said socket. In a recess in said end or side works a spring, G, provided with a head or thumb-piece, g. (See Fig. 4.) This spring partially crosses the socket e, for engagement with a barb or hook yon thepin or stud f when inserted in the socket.

Instead of a barb or hook, as shown, the pin or stud may be provided with a slot, and the -spring may be arranged to engage with said slot.

The lid or cover B is made with a closed or` i solid top and sides, and two of its sides are (Model.)

provided with sockets e and springs G, for engagement with the pins or studs f, as before described.y

Each section is made of such dimensions as to accommodate a certain number of boxes or baskets-as, for example, one dozen of either. rIhe section is provided with removable bars H, having their ends shouldered, rabbeted, or tenoned, so as to allow of their being readily inserted between the slats of the sides of the section.

When the section is used for holding boxes, these bars H are placed in position as shown in the drawings. When used for baskets, which require more space, the bars are removed.

When two or more sections are used, one is placed upon another and the lid or cover upon the uppermost section, and said sections and lid are held securely in place by the engagement of the springs G with the pins or studs f in the sockets e, as shown. By pressing on the thumb-piece g the spring is disengaged, and the lid B and the diferent sections may be readily separated in order to reach the contents. When only one section is used the lid Bis placed thereon, as illustrated by the uppermost section in the drawings.

The bars H are held in place on the inside by loops or Wires K, arranged one at each corner of the box, as shown in Fig. 3 of drawings.

The springs L, secured on the inside of each end piece, A, of the upper section, prevent the side bars, H, wabbling or injuriously working, and consequent liability ot slipping out of place.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination, with sections A, baving slatted bottoms, of the false bottom C,

having its slats arranged to lit between the WALDEN PIGKETT.

Witnesses B. D. MORLEY, J. S. MORLEY. 

